Letter from Superintendent Jeff Simons Regarding Incident in North Greenbush

At 11:53 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Bell Top Elementary School Principal Martin Mahar was notified by East Greenbush police that a bank robbery had occurred at the M&T Bank branch on Jordan Road in North Greenbush.

As a precaution, Columbia’s School Resource Officer Jay Martyn, who is a police officer with the East Greenbush Police Department, responded to Bell Top at approximately 11:58 a.m. and Mr. Mahar initiated a lockout. A lockout involves keeping all students and staff inside the school building, locking exterior doors and being extra cautious with visitors who are processed through a single point of entry, however, the school day continues as normal. There was no risk to students or staff at Bell Top, the lockout was purely precautionary.

Mr. Mahar was quickly notified by police that the incident at the bank in North Greenbush had been resolved and there was no threat in the surrounding area.

I would like to commend Mr. Mahar and his staff for following our district safety plan, and for the positive communication from the East Greenbush Police Department and Officer Martyn. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office.